Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on Sunday addressed the Young Leaders Convention in Peshawar, announcing new initiatives for youth empowerment while criticising federal policies, corruption, and what he described as political suppression.

Speaking at the event organised by the Young Leaders Parliament, the chief minister announced an increase in the province’s interest-free youth loan scheme from Rs3 billion to Rs5 billion to support young entrepreneurs. He also announced a Rs2 million grant for the Young Leaders Parliament, acknowledging the role of youth-led platforms in national development.

Addressing participants, Afridi said nations cannot progress without self-respect and argued that leadership is defined by vision and thinking rather than wealth or academic credentials. He urged young people to play an active role in shaping the country’s future.

The chief minister criticised the federal government, alleging large-scale corruption and accusing the country’s leadership of undermining national dignity abroad. He claimed that provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were being denied their constitutional rights despite what he described as corruption worth trillions of rupees at the federal level.

Referring to the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Afridi said that while the administrative merger took place in 2018, financial integration had yet to be completed, calling it a constitutional violation. He also questioned scrutiny over funds allocated for affectees in tribal areas, while alleging that larger corruption cases were being ignored.

On accountability, the chief minister said there would be no exceptions and that all individuals involved in corruption would be held responsible. He also criticised the political situation in Punjab, alleging restrictions on political freedoms and what he described as an undeclared civil martial law.

Afridi further alleged political victimisation of opposition figures and said family members of political leaders had been unfairly targeted. He said faith and perseverance remained sources of strength during difficult times.

Highlighting financial issues, the chief minister claimed the federal government owed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs4,758 billion, adding that timely payment of dues would significantly improve service delivery in the province. On security, he stressed the need for a comprehensive and consistent policy to address terrorism.

Calling on the youth, Afridi urged them to raise their voices on issues affecting the province and oppose decisions that go against provincial interests. He concluded by saying that despite limited resources, his government continued to serve the people and would pursue policies aimed at benefiting all segments of society in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.